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Car-chase suspect jailed; total bail set at $3.5 million

Authorities attempt to slow down the carjacking suspect on Wednesday, March 12, 2014. (7News)

Ryan Stone. (Douglas County Sheriff's Office)

The suspect in a high-speed car chase and multiple carjackings was jailed Thursday in Douglas County with his bail set at $3.5 million.

Ryan Cole Stone, 28, is alleged to have stolen a vehicle left running at a Longmont gas station Wednesday morning, then leading state troopers and police on a high-speed chase that covered more than 50 miles. During the chase, he allegedly ran down a trooper, carjacked two more vehicles and plowed into several others.

Four-year-old Allan Chavarria-Rodriguez was in the back seat of the first stolen vehicle, a Ford Edge owned by the boy's mother, Martha Rodriguez.

Stone faces charges of attempted murder, kidnapping, assault and motor-vehicle theft. His bail for Wednesday's incidents is $2.5 million, but another $1 million in bail was added for Stone's several outstanding warrants.

Bellamann Hee (Colorado State Patrol)

State Trooper Bellamann Hee, who was run down and injured while trying to end the car chase, was doing his job properly, a Colorado State Patrol spokesman said Thursday. But his injury could lead to a change in the way the State Patrol puts down spike strips to stop dangerous drivers.

"Is there a better place to throw stop sticks in the future? Maybe," State Patrol spokesman Nate Reid said. "Everybody did their job to a T, but is there a safer way?"

Hee, who suffered serious injuries to his legs, was recovering after surgery.

"I expect it will be a long recovery," State Patrol Col. Scott Hernandez said.

Stone is suspected of hitting Hee on E-470 between South Chambers Road and South Peoria Street as the trooper was running across the road to lay down a spike strip, which is designed to puncture tires.

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The suspect, now in a minivan that he carjacked after the Ford Edge, was driving so fast and erratically that troopers stopped their pursuit in order to limit the danger the driver posed to the public.

Law enforcement agencies involved in the chase credited the 850-KOA News helicopter with helping them monitor Stone's location even when he wasn't being chased.

The State Patrol and other agencies were following but not chasing him at the time on E-470.

District Attorney for the 18th Judicial District George Brauchler, left, speaks while standing next to Boulder County District Attorney Stan Garnett during a press conference regarding the prosecution of Ryan Stone on Thursday, March 13, at the Robert A. Christensen Justice Center in Castle Rock. (jeremy Papasso, Daily Camera)

"We were trying to figure out a location to stop him before he got to Lone Tree," Reid said.

Hee was running from the south side of the road to the north side in order to get in a position to toss the strip. He made it to the breakdown lane and was trying to jump over the guard rail and throw the strip when he was hit, Reid said.

"The guy just came up on him too fast," Reid said.

The driver made no attempt to avoid Hee, and a deputy estimated the driver's speed at 100 mph in the 75 mph zone, according to an affidavit released Thursday.

Stone exited E-470 at Peoria, where the minivan hit a 1999 BMW. He then drove south on Peoria, according to the affidavit.

He pulled Wharton out of the car and took the Toyota. He was caught near Lincoln Avenue and Peoria, where the Toyota T-boned a Toyota Camry.

Stone will be prosecuted in Douglas County, although the chase crossed a number of jurisdictions, said District Attorney George Brauchler, who made the announcement at a media briefing with Boulder DA Stan Garnett and other officials.

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